Tag Archives: natural

Our Favorite Celebrity No-Makeup Selfies

Check out these babes for some natural, no-makeup inspiration and a reminder that true beauty has nothing to do with fake lashes or the perfect contour (although, we love that look, too)!

 

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

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Rosie Huntington-Whiteley just might be one of the most beautiful human beings to ever grace this earth. Between her big, beautiful lips and her stunning bone structure, she totally doesn’t need any makeup to enhance what she’s already got. Rosie posted a stunning makeup-less photo of herself in support of the Elephant Crisis Fund.

 

Zendaya

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Zendaya posted a stunning makeup-free selfie wearing a plain white t-shirt. Seriously? Who looks that beautiful undone? She captioned the photo, “Yes for my white shirt being the perfect light bounce,” although we’re sure she’d still look amazing, even without that amazing lighting.

 

Cardi B

Cardi B is known for her incredible self-love, so it’s no surprise the rapper often shares makeup-less photos on her Instagram feed. Just a few short days after welcoming her baby girl, Kulture Kiari Cephus, Cardi posted a gorgeous barefaced photo with her boo, Offset, at a doctor’s appointment. Although she always looks beautiful, she’s totally got that special new mama glow!

 

Chrissy Teigen

Speaking of that glow, Chrissy Teigen absolutely has it! Chrissy and husband John Legend welcomed their second child, baby boy Miles Theodore Stephens, to the world in May. Chrissy shared an adorable makeup-less photo with new baby Miles and her daughter, Luna, enjoying a day in the sand. Chrissy captioned the photo, “guess we’re really doing this kid thing!” Ugh – she’s funny AND gorgeous.

 

Sara Sampaio

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Victoria’s Secret Angel and all-around bombshell Sara Sampaio often rocks the barefaced look – in fact, even when she has her makeup done, she often opts for a more natural look (except when she wears her signature red lip)! Sara’s big lips and bold brows perfectly frame her face. It would almost be a shame to cover all of that up.

 

Lindsay Lohan

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Lindsay Lohan has always been a proponent of freckles and hers are often on full display in her makeup-free Instagram pictures when she’s not rocking her go-to old-Hollywood glam look. Lindsay looked especially fresh-faced in a recent selfie at her beach house in Mykonos.

 

Kylie Jenner

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While we’re on the topic of freckles, Kylie Jenner might just have the cutest ones ever. Also a new mom, Kylie has been opting for a more natural look as of late and she still looks as beautiful as ever – even more so, if that’s humanly possible. In June, Kylie shared a stunning no-makeup selfie featuring a peek of her baby girl, Stormi.

4 Powerhouse DIY Face Masks for Troubled Skin

Let’s admit it – when you’re desperate to fix your face, you’re willing to try any and everything. When it comes to facial products, I’ve been a stranger to nearly none. What I’ve found is that no matter what new product I come across that promises me clear skin in the morning, it’s only nature that can truly get the job done for me. That being said, not all natural remedies are created equally.

These natural face masks are fail-proof for those of us that have to work for our complexions. Whether it’s cystic acne, hyper-pigmentation, eczema, blackheads, sensitive or oily skin you’re dealing with, these four powerhouse pantry ingredients are going to bring your skin redemption. The key is remembering that while there are no overnight fixes, consistent application is going to get your skin to where you ultimately want it to be.

 

Honey Face Mask

Spot-treat and heal the skin
honey face mask

Honey has incredible antibacterial and healing properties. It prevents new acne from forming and actively treats existing acne. It’s soothing and keeps skin supple while it works.

Spread an even layer of honey over your face and leave it on for 20-30 minutes.

This can be used every night, with many people even swearing by it as a face wash.

Honey is a great overnight spot-treatment too, just be sure to keep your hair tucked away and your pillowcase protected. To experience extra-strength healing from honey, try manuka honey, which has the most antimicrobial properties of them all.

 

Egg White + Lemon Face Mask

Lighten, repair, and tighten skin
egg white

Egg whites work to repair tissue damage, tighten pores, and firm the skin, while lemon helps to lighten scarring and discoloration, and to loosen blackheads and whiteheads. If you have sensitive skin, skip the lemon juice altogether.

Mix one egg white and around 1 teaspoon of lemon juice together.

Beat mixture until you create a foam.

Use a makeup brush to apply this mixture to your face.

Leave it on for 15 minutes and rinse.

This can be used every other day. 

 

Bentonite Clay Face Mask

Stop acne, exfoliate, and shrink pores
brown clay mask

Consider bentonite clay your body’s plunger and cystic’s acne worst nightmare. Bentonite clay is best known for being able to draw out skins most stubborn toxins, stopping acne flare ups in their tracks, and shrinking pores. It is also an excellent exfoliant.

The classic recipe calls for bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar. Use a wooden or plastic spoon to mix both ingredients together in a non-metal bowl to form a paste.

Avoid letting metal touch the clay, as it will also absorb properties from the metal.

If you find that the apple cider vinegar is too harsh for your skin, use water to mix with it instead.

You can add essential oils for more benefits or to counteract the smell of the vinegar.

Leave mask on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse it off in the kitchen sink to prevent clogging!

 

Turmeric Face Mask

Lighten and repair skin
turmeric mask face

Turmeric is an almighty antioxidant with superior anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It effectively reduces skin inflammation in the form of skin conditions such as eczema and works wonders in lightening skin pigmentation. Turmeric’s healing powers help to repair skin damage and scarring. Traditional recipes for this mask call for mixing turmeric powder with yogurt or milk and almond oil. My hands-down favorite mask borrows ingredients from the others in this list with turmeric as it’s star.

Mix equal parts turmeric powder, bentonite clay, and buttermilk powder. (Buttermilk powder contains lactic acid which aids in the exfoliation process and makes skin feel extra soft afterward.)

Add enough honey and milk to make a thick paste.

Using a makeup brush or your fingers, spread this mixture all over your face, avoiding your eyes, and leave on for 15-20 minutes.

Natural Cold Remedies You Can Find In Your Pantry

Not one for over-the-counter flu medicine, week long antibiotic prescriptions, or sleepy cough syrups? Me neither. Have you heard of the saying, “Nature heals, and the doctor helps”? Well, good thing for us all-natural enthusiasts, practically everything we need to fight a cold is already sitting pretty in the kitchen pantry. Whether it’s the winter cold, changes in weather, or a bug in the air that’s got you feeling less than stellar, head to the pantry and try out these seven effective natural cold remedies to revive your immune system naturally. Nature heals, the doctor helps.

 

Ginger + Turmeric

There is no better duo than ginger and turmeric when it comes to fighting inflammation and used together, they’re a one-two punch. Powerful on their own, ginger has antiseptic properties and is loaded with vitamin c and magnesium. Turmeric, with its superior anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, has become a popular natural remedy for nearly anything. These roots are immune-building and help fight colds as well as nausea.

ginger tea

Ginger-Turmeric Tea

1 tsp freshly grated turmeric

1 tsp freshly grated ginger

1 tbsp raw honey

¼ tsp black pepper

Bring a pot of water to boil. Put grated turmeric and ginger inside and reduce to medium-heat, allowing to steep for 10 minutes. Strain liquid and add honey and pepper. Note: Black pepper aides the body in absorbing the turmeric and ginger, as well as helping to dissolve mucus. Coconut oil can be substituted for black pepper for a milder taste as it has the same absorbing abilities.

*Recipe from naturalnews.com

 

Lemon

Long known for its ability to fight and cure infections, lemon is a powerful antioxidant packed with calcium, potassium, and vitamin C. It’s phlegm-reducing properties works best at soothing and healing a sore throat. To use, squeeze fresh lemon juice into tea or hot water with a spoonful of honey. Want to take it up a notch? Make it a “Hot Toddy” by adding two tablespoons of bourbon.

 

Orange Juice

Did you know that one small orange has 50 mg of vitamin C? And that’s without any side effects. Also known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C boosts the immune system and is used to treat a variety of illnesses. Make the ultimate cold-busting elixir by mixing orange juice with fresh ginger juice and apple cider vinegar.

 

Apple cider vinegar (ACV)

Apple cider vinegar is incredible stuff. Though acidic, it actually neutralizes ph levels in our body which make it hard for flu germs to grow. It prevents the cold virus on top of treating it, kills fungus, and aides in digestion. Add 2-3 tablespoons to 8oz of room temperature water. Mix in honey to mask the taste if you find it to be too strong on its own. Let this mighty ACV drink become a staple in your daily routine. It’s a preventative measure to fend off the flu  and promotes optimal health benefits like lowered blood pressure and heart health to name a few.

 

Honey

Sweet, magical honey, what is it you can’t do? Antibacterial, anti-viral, and immune boosting, honey fights infections on multiple levels, making it difficult for bacteria to develop a resistance. On top of that, it kills different types of bacterias. Add raw honey to tea, hot water, or eat a spoonful before bed.

 

Garlic

There’s plenty to brag on garlic for. A study from Washington State  University showed that garlic is 100 times more effective than two popular antibiotics. It’s antimicrobial, antiseptic, and antiviral properties make this powerful antioxidant the ultimate go-to when you’re under the weather. One popular folk remedy includes eating a spoonful of raw, chopped cloves or gnawing on it whole! While admittedly not for the faint of heart, milder methods include mincing garlic and letting it rest for 15 minutes to take the strength down a notch. You can also add honey or olive oil on top of the crushed garlic, to neutralize the smell/taste, and take it down with a small piece of bread or cracker. You could make a garlic tea by steeping sliced garlic in boiled water for five minutes and adding honey.

garlic

 

Green tea

Chock full of antioxidants, polyphenols, and nutrients, green tea is able to hinder the growth of certain bacterial species that make you ill. Often referred to as the healthiest drink in the world, keeping this tea in your daily rotation is sure to keep infections away. Try incorporating matcha green tea into your health arsenal as well, which is thought to tote even greater health benefits than other green teas.

green tea

 

Vegetable + Bone Broth

Loaded with vitamins and minerals, vegetable and bone broth are excellent at fighting infection and soothing sore throats. Finding something to eat when you’re sick, that won’t irritate a sore throat and still give you the nutrients you need, is a stressful task. Broths solve that problem and have historically been consumed during fasting. Plutarch and Benjamin Franklin both agreed, fasting and rest are the greatest medicine you can take when ill.

 

Cinnamon

Don’t overlook cinnamon as just another spice. It’s actually one of the most potent antioxidants on the planet. Take a teaspoon of raw honey and add ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon to knock out a cold fast.

Ditch the Chemicals: 7 Natural Ways to Color Your Hair

A fan of changing up your look with a new hair color, but not of chemicals with impossible-to-pronounce names that come with the modern dyes in salons and at-home kits? The side-effects from regular exposure to the dangerous ingredients in the dyes you use to color your hair can include dry hair and damaged follicles, allergic reactions such as itchy scalp, rashes, and dandruff, to more serious conditions like asthma and cancer risk. With these seven natural methods of coloring your hair, you can color to your heart’s content without once having to sacrifice your health for beauty!

 

1. Coffee

Coffee is great for naturally darkening hair, covering greys, or adding dimension to brunette tresses. Brew 1-2 cups of strong organic coffee (organic coffee will have less preservatives and work more effectively) and let cool. Mix with 2 tablespoons of ground organic coffee and enough conditioner to fully saturate hair. Leave mixture in hair for up to an hour and rinse. For more noticeable results, rinse with apple cider vinegar. You may need to repeat this application for more noticeable or desired results.

 

2.  Teas

brown hair

Similar to coffee, black tea can darken hair (as well as help reduce shedding) while other teas like chamomile help lighten hair. Rooibos and red hibiscus tea work to add vibrancy and highlights for redheads. It should be noted that these teas work best when used to enhance your natural hair color. To infuse onto hair, steep 5-8 tea bags in a pot of boiled water for 30 minutes (the higher concentrated the tea is, the better). Mix cooled tea with enough plain organic yogurt to fully saturate hair. You can also add a few drops of an essential oil, like lavender, for fragrance. Massage the mixture into clean, dry hair from root to tip, and cover with a shower cap or plastic bag. Leave in for an hour. Rinse and air-dry.

 

3. Henna

Henna, which is a powdered form of the leaves from the henna plant, is widely regarded as the most effective natural hair dye. This powerful coloring pigment has been used for hundreds of years to not only dye hair, but skin and nails as well. Occurring naturally as a red-orange tint, many manufacturers will mix it with other ingredients, such as indigo, to achieve other colors such as brown shades. Henna is best suited for dyeing hair darker in brunette or red tones.

 

It’s also a wonderful conditioning treatment that strengthens hair and improves scalp health, and some use it strictly for its hair enhancing abilities. To use, mix henna powder with preferred liquid. For stronger results, mix henna with apple cider vinegar so the pigment can penetrate opened hair follicles and color can last longer. For a deeper brown, mix black tea with the henna powder. Leave mixture in hair, covered, for 4-6 hours. Additional applications will deepen darker tones or brighten reds.

 

4. Beet Juice

red hair

Beet juice can stain more than just hands and your kitchen counter, as it works great at giving your locks the same pretty red hue, too! It’s also loaded with those sought-after antioxidant goodies like protein, potassium, calcium, and vitamins B and C to name a few, making it an incredible scalp-happy rinse that you can incorporate into your regular hair routine. To use, mix beet juice with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, or to make the tint last longer, mix one cup beet juice with ½ cup rose water and ½ cup black tea. Apply to the scalp and work through the ends. Leave in for 15 minutes and rinse well. Regular use will keep this beautiful red tint intact longer.

 

5. Lemon

Lemon, known for being packed with antioxidants and its relatively high level of acid content (containing around 5-8% of citric acid in lemon juice) is widely regarded as nature’s bleach. On top of successfully being able to lighten discolorations and sun-spots from skin, it works just as great at brightening hair. To use, put fresh lemon juice in a spray bottle and spritz throughout hair, leaving on for several hours. Being out in the sun will help further activate its lightening effect. This works slowly, so you’ll have to be persistent to see desired results.

 

6. Cinnamon + Honey

blond hair yoga

This sweetly fragranced spice mixed with raw honey is known for lightening hair as the two ingredients combined act as a natural peroxide, but without the harmful side-effects. To use this mask, mix 4 tablespoons cinnamon, 3 tablespoons honey, and 2 tablespoons olive oil (or conditioner) into a smooth paste. You can add a few drops of lemon juice for extra lightening as well. Double ingredients for longer hair. Apply blend onto damp hair and evenly distribute with a wide-tooth comb. Lay hair on top of head and cover hair with a plastic bag. Leave mask on for 1-2 hours and rinse, following up with a mild shampoo and conditioner.

 

7. Black walnut

The hull of black walnut shells contains the compounds juglone, plumbagin, and tannin, which allow it to dye almost anything it comes into contact with, on top of creating a natural, gorgeous rich brown. Other than hair dye, it’s commonly used in wood stains, ink, and clothing dye. To use, crush black walnut shells (or buy ground black walnut shell powder) and boil in water for half an hour. Once cooled, lather hair in the mixture, or lay pot on the ground outside (to avoid the messy clean up) and submerge hair for anywhere between 5-20 minutes. The longer you leave the mixture in hair, the deeper the brown will turn out so you may want to have a friend monitor the progression. Rinse thoroughly with cold water. Words of caution: It will stain EVERYTHING so prep accordingly, and black walnuts can be poisonous for some animals, such as dogs or horses, so please plan to keep your furry ones away while you dye responsibly!

 

While these natural methods might require some work and won’t realistically take you from blonde to brunette, they will enhance the beauty of your natural hair color and will keep you safe while doing so!